Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Janet Ennis tragically died five years ago in what the police labeled an accidental fire. But Janet’s mother, Nora, believes it to be murder and arson. And she’s hoping ex-cop Michael McLaren can prove it quickly, for she’s losing her memory to dementia.As McLaren pokes through the case details, he becomes emotionally involved with the dead woman. Yet, Janet isn’t the only person who threatens mental well-being. A series of arsons on his own property hint that he’s upset someone connected with this case.

Motives for Janet’s murder rise like the smoky tendrils of a fire. And, motive aside, the murder scene seems a bit too pat: a drought-stricken landscape eager to lap up flames, and a conveniently locked door barring Janet’s escape.

Will McLaren solve the case while Nora can still comprehend the resolution, or will Harvester’s plans see McLaren’s career go up in smoke?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPTMcLaren dropped the hose and charged after the figure. The light from the fire lit his way for several yards, jerking and stretching his shadow before him as he ran into the night. Even beyond the reach of the firelight he could make out the runner. Though the arsonist was hardly more than a murky movement on an indistinct backdrop, McLaren could track him easily enough. The crunch of dry leaves and the snap of old tree branches marked the runner’s route as clearly as if he’d yelled out his directions.

Shadow In The Smoke it's a fast paced, action packed, full of mystery and highly enjoyable book.Our main character Michael McLaren, an ex cop, is smart, strong and very intuitive. He reminds me like an old school investigator. Each character are complex and developed, we have an intriguing cold case, a grieving mother, someone who warns with fire and a killer on the loose. The plot is a real page turner that keeps you guessing who, what and why. Excellent written, with suspenseful scenes, a little romance, great dialogue and full of twists and turns, Shadow In The Smoke is a Five Star book. Grab your copy and Happy Reading!!I highly recommend this book to all type of readers*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

Jo A. Hiestand knew in grade school that she wanted to be a mystery writer. But life got in the way: singing in a semi-pro folk group, traveling to New Zealand, working as a camp counselor, co-inventing P.I.R.A.T.E.S. (a mystery-solving treasure-hunting game), becoming a tour agent for a Scottish folk singing group, attending a citizen police academy and riding along with police officers… But she needed to immerse herself in All Things British for her books. England beckoned and she responded.

She bee-lined to Derbyshire, feeling it was the ‘home’ of her books. Derbyshire also bestowed the essential English police contacts and transformed the St. Louisan into an Anglophile.

She’s returned nearly a dozen times to Derbyshire, researching and photographing for her McLaren cold case detective novels.

In 1999 Jo returned to Webster University to major in English. She graduated in 2001 with a BA degree and departmental honors.

He's a collaboration between my friend in Derbyshire (a detective-superintendent of CID in the Derbyshire Constabulary) and me. I originally wanted to have a detective who played the guitar and sang in folk clubs, but my friend put a stop to that, saying it wouldn't be believable. Besides, no working detective would want to be in front of the public like that! So we emailed back and forth for several weeks, suggesting traits for this man, his background history, what drove him to quit his job, etc. I think we came up with a great character and one who, I hope readers will agree, is very believable. If it weren't for my friend's help, McLaren wouldn't have been born.

Hi! P.I.R.A.T.E.S. is a non-board game. It's an acronym, standing for People In Research And Treasure Exploration Society. Players belong to a (fictitious) organization that investigates lost historical treasures. Players get a case to investigate. A case history supplies players with the basic story (about a page long). Players then have resource people to get information from (a librarian, an underwater photographer, archaeologist, etc). There is also a folder of physical clues such as song lyrics, photographs, maps, brochures, scrap of cloth... Not all the clues and resource people help with a specific case, so you have to choose wisely to decide what helps you figure out what the treasure is and where it's located. The first edition of the game has six cases to solve, each pertaining to a real pirate, such as Capt Kidd, Blackbeard, etc. The case story is fictitious but based on an actual event in the real pirate's life. The second edition of the gams has either cases to solve; those are based on historical things in Britain, such as pub signs, castle architecture, the mean of a nursery rhyme, a keyboard instrument... Players can play alone, in teams against their opponent team, or as one group. Hope that clarifies the game...or might totally mess you up! Thanks.

I have two Pearl Jam's songs: Just Breathe and Come Back. Both are really important for me, so much that I have them tattooed on my body. I lost my youngest brother 14 years ago, he was only 17 years old, and those songs remind me of Him.

I used to be able to open a pocket knife with my toes, but I can't do that anymore. Right now, perhaps it's being able to read and write upside down. I'm not upside down -- I mean reading a book that's pointed away from me; writing so the text is readable to the person facing me. Thrilling, ain't it?

Excellent post! I really enjoyed reading the excerpt and your review. This book sounds like such an interesting and intriguing read! I love a good mystery, and this book sounds like it fits the bill! Can't wait to read this book and solve the mystery!

Hi, Ally. If you get "Shadow in the Smoke," I sure hope you like it after your excitement and enthusiasm! ;-) I'd like to think the book will keep you in the "mystery mode" until you finish it. And of course I hope it becomes one of your favorites! Thanks for logging on!